Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside'

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Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside' originally appeared on Parade.

The network has spoken! The longtime host of Australian Survivor, Jonathan LaPaglia, stunned fans on Sunday, June 29, 2025, by revealing he had been fired from his hosting duties after a decade at the helm in what he called an "epic blindside."

"Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me," he wrote in the lengthy Instagram post, which also featured a video of him being punched by a massive boxing glove on set. "I received a call from the network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are ‘going in a different direction’."

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LaPaglia shared that Channel 10's reasons for letting him go included declining ratings and a desire to "do something drastic to shake things up." He threw in some classic Survivor jokes to his statement, saying "None of that non-elim bulls--t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me."

On a sentimental note, the longtime host called hosting the show the "greatest adventure of [his] career" and admitted he would "dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players, and our loyal sassy audience."

"I’m a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be," he concluded. "Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b--ch!)" #SurvivorAU"

For their part, Channel 10 credited JLP with bringing the show "a unique blend of authority, intelligence, and empathy" and called him "a compelling and memorable figure in the world of Survivor."

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Both LaPaglia and Channel 10 confirmed he would still be the host for the upcoming Australia v The World installment, which will feature Survivor stars from across the planet, including Survivor legends Cirie Fields, Parvati Shallow, and Tony Vlachos, as well as former Australian Survivor winner David Genat, who also won season 2 of Deal or No Deal Island.

Fans and players alike were shocked and outraged by the news of JLP's firing. "HUGE MISTAKE!!! It honestly won't be the same without you!!! This news breaks my heart!" wrote AU player Logan Johannisen in the comments. "Thank you for being the most incredible host ever -- you really made Survivor Australia what it is today. So no matter what they say, know that you are a huge part of the reason why it has been as successful as it has."

"The change no one asked for," added fellow AU player Matt Tarrant. Survivor US legend Kelley Wentworth voiced her displeasure as well, writing, "No thanks."

The replacement for the longtime host has yet to be announced.

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Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside' first appeared on Parade on Jun 30, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.